Quietest Pool Pump 2023: Reviews and Buying Guide
Having a quality pool pump is something that many people do not put much thought into.
The pump is usually responsible for propelling the water through the pool filter.
Besides the functionality, the amount of noise that the pool pump produces while being used is an important factor to consider.
Of course, there are ways that you can make your pool pump quieter. However, if you are looking to purchase a new pump, you should just consider buying a quieter model.
A pool pump is not an ordinary day-to-day device. Finding the right one may, therefore, be quite a challenge.
Well, if you have no idea where to get started, have a look at the guide below. We will even kick in our top 5 picks for the quietest pool pump to give you a head start.
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Quietest Pool Pumps 2020
Most people who prefer single-speed pool pumps do so because of the high functionality and faster operation that they provide.
If you are looking for such a pump, then we would recommend the Hayward Single Speed in-ground pool pump.
Featuring swing-aside knobs, the pump makes it easier to access the strainer compartment.
The strainer cover is also transparent making it easier for you whenever you need to do some cleaning.
The pump is available with 115 or 230 voltage and 1 horsepower. It is also able to adapt to 48 and 56 frame motors.
The rugged one-piece housing with full flow ports ensures that the pump is operating continuously and at rapid priming.
The impeller is also totally balanced and has wide smooth openings that prevent clogging.
The motor on this pump is heavy duty and high performance with air-flow ventilation. This makes the operation much quieter and cooler with no overheating.
The Blue Wave 2-Speed pool pump may be just what you are looking for if you have an above-ground pool.
The pump comes with a 20-amp cord that measures 6 foot. It also features horizontal discharge and has a 1.5-inch inlet and outlet that is easily adaptable to just about any system.
The pump also comes with a high performance and energy efficient motor. This gives the pump high working performance and more efficiency.
The transparent strainer lid is a great addition that makes inspecting the pool pump much easier.
We especially love the fact that the pump cover is easily removable to make it easier to clean the pump.
The drain plug feature is also a great addition. The plug makes maintenance and pump winterization much easier.
What about the noise levels?
Thanks to the efficient motor on this pump, it is much quieter than most pumps. This makes it the best dual speed pool pump currently on the market.
The Pentair 342001 pool pump features a 1.5 hp and power capabilities of 110-230V and 50 and 60Hz.
These features make it the best variable speed pumps for standard pools that require up to 1.5 hp pumps.
To help with the programming and operating, the pump comes with a simple user interface that is easy to use.
The electrical connections are also quite easy to access, making the installation an easy process. If you want to retain the warranty, however, you will have to bring in a professional to do all the wiring.
The three available speed settings allow you to manually program the pump to whatever you want. The pump also comes with an override capability.
Pentair 342001 features the ultra-quiet TEFC motor. Thanks to this motor, the pump is easy on your ears while in operation.
The fan is totally enclosed and barely makes a whisper when in operation. It also virtually eliminates unpleasant and high-pitched noise.
While there may be more affordable options in this hp range, the Pentair 342001 is the best in terms of the quality and quietness it presents.
If you are looking for a powerful pump, then this Pentair pump is exactly what you need.
Just like its counterpart above, this pump is energy star certified.
With 3 horsepower and 230V, it offers double the fun that the above Pentair pump offers.
Thanks to the built-in diagnostics, the pump is quite durable with guaranteed years of service. It comes with a powerful fan at the rear to prevent the motor from overheating.
The pump also features 8 programmable speed settings to choose from. It also has a timer that ensures optimum speed and run times.
This together with the fact that the pump helps to save up to 90% more energy than traditional pumps makes this a cost-effective investment.
The motor on this pump is magnetic allowing it to present better performance.
Because the pump is compatible with many digital pool and spa controls, it is great for use in spas and other advanced pools.
What we especially love about this pump is how quiet it is when in operation.
Operating at just 45 decibels, this pump is much quieter than the average regular pumps that operate anywhere between 60-70 decibels.
The only downside to this pump is that it is a bit costly. The warranty is also a bit of an issue. For self-installation, the warranty only lasts a month.
For the 3-year warranty, you will have to get a professional pool company to install it.
Thanks to the variable speed settings that are available, this pool pump is extremely energy efficient.
The pump is energy star efficient and offers up to 80% energy cost savings as compared to single-speed pool pumps.
With a fully programmable digital control interface, operating this pool pump is quite easy.
The interface can be rotated to four different positions or mounted on a wall for easier access and operation.
Available in both 115V and 230V, the Hayward Variable Speed Pool Pump features the high-performance TEFC motor.
Besides offering more reliability, the motor is also quite efficient allowing you to save on energy costs.
Being that the motor is totally enclosed and is continuously cooled by a fan, this pool pump is much quieter than standard pumps while in operation.
As compared to other pumps within this range, this pump is rather expensive.
However, the quiet operation and high performance make it worth the last penny.
Pool Pump Buying Guide: What Should You Consider?
While there are a number of factors that you need to consider when purchasing a pool pump, these four things should be at the top of the list.
Power
The size of your pool will determine how strong of a pump you should get. Larger pools will require larger pumps and vice versa.
The power of a pool pump is measured by the Gallons Per Minute (GPM) of water. Usually, an effective pump is able to circulate all the water in the pool in 12 hours.
When considering the GPM of a pump, it is important to also look at the HorsePower. A higher HP means more power and in turn more GPM.
If you are not sure what GPM your pool needs, you can simply calculate it. Here’s how to go about it.
- Multiply the pool’s volume in gallons by 2. This gives the gallons that the pump needs to turn over twice each day.
- Divide by 24 to get the gallons per hour and further divide by 60 to get the gallons per minute
Noise
Usually, stronger pumps will produce more noise.
However, thanks to the newer models, stronger and better models do not necessarily have to be noisier than weaker pumps.
The amount of noise produced by the pump will depend on the mechanics of the motor.
The number of vibrations from the motor also determine how much noise is produced.
When looking for a quieter model, be sure to check out the insulation. Pumps that have thicker insulation will tend to be quieter.
Variable-speed pool pumps are also much quieter than other pumps. They also help to save on utility bills and do not cause much damage to the motor.
To make the pool pump a bit quieter, there are a number of things that you can do.
Avoid 90-degrees angles when setting up the pump and ensure that the distance from the pump to the pool is short.
Using a larger pool filter and regularly cleaning the pool grates also help to reduce the noise.
Energy Efficiency
How powerful your pool pump is will determine the amount of energy that is needed.
Considering that the pump will be running for several hours, it is important to get a pump that is energy efficient so as to avoid unnecessary utility bills.
When considering energy efficiency, variable-speed and two-speed pool pumps tend to be better.
Variable-speed pumps have powerful motors that are designed to run for hours, unlike regular pumps.
To reduce the pumping time, it is recommended that you scrub the pool walls and using chemical additives before each pumping session
Price
Another important factor is the price of the pool pump. The price will vary greatly depending on the power, efficiency, and type of the pump.
Getting a pool pump that is within your budget may not be difficult. However, getting one that suits all your requirements as well may be a challenge.
While the more efficient and more powerful pumps may be more expensive when buying, bear in mind that in the long run, they could save you more money in terms of electricity bills and maintenance costs.
​Types of Pool Pumps
Pool pumps are categorized into three different groups based on their speed settings:
Single-speed pool pumps
These are the most common types of pool pumps that are used. They usually pump the pool water at a constant speed.
The pumping speed is usually set to high and remains the same, regardless of what you are using the pump for.
Thanks to the constant high speed, single-speed pool pumps usually provide high functionality. They are also quite easy to find and are the cheapest pool pumps around.
However, the high-speed setting also means that you will have to endure high energy bills.
While they may not cost you much during the initial purchase, you will definitely end up spending more over the years.
Another disadvantage is that they are much noisier than other pool pumps.
Two-speed pool pumps
Dual-speed pool pumps are not so different from the single-speed ones. However, they come with the added advantage of having a ‘low-speed’ setting option.
When using this kind of a pool pump, it is recommended that you use the low setting for the primary circulation and filtration functions.
You will then require the high setting for other activities such as vacuuming the pool or when heating it.
Although the dual-speed pool pump is better than the single-speed one. It does not do much to help cut costs.
This is because when running on the high setting, it functions in a similar way to the single-speed pump.
Given that it is more expensive than the latter and just a little less expensive than the more efficient variable-speed pump, buying this pump may not be a worthy investment.
Variable-speed pool pumps
With a variable-speed pool pump, you can set the GPM and the flow rate to the exact amount that your pool needs.
You can also control the rate of the flow of the water which is important so as to get satisfactory results from the pump.
Variable-speed pool pumps are the best when it comes to flexibility and lower utility bills.
By allowing you to adjust the settings to just what your pool requires, these pumps are also more efficient and help save costs more.
Because of their added efficiency and functionality, these pumps tend to be more expensive. However, they also last longer and if you are looking for a long-term investment, variable-speed pool pumps are your best option.
In-Ground Vs. Above-Ground Pool Pumps
In-ground and above-ground refer to the kind of pool that you have. This is what will determine what kind of pump you get.
Although they are at times interchangeable, in-ground and above-ground pool pumps are quite different.
The main difference between the two is that in-ground pool pumps are self-priming while above-ground pumps are not.
Because most in-ground pool pumps are located above the water level, these pumps are usually able to lift water vertically.
Above-ground pumps, on the other hand, are usually located below the water level. They, therefore, just require gravity and atmospheric pressure to feed the pump.
Another obvious difference between the two is the size, with in-ground pool pumps larger since they are made to handle larger volumes of water at higher flow rates.
On the Quietest Pool Pumps
When it comes to quiet pool pumps, variable-speed pool pumps take the lead.
For this reason, the Pentair 011018 Variable Speed High-Performance Pool Pump is our pick for the quietest pool pump.
Not only does this pump operate at an impressive decibel level, but it is also quite powerful and offers high performance. The 90% energy saving is also an impressive feature.
While it may be a bit expensive on the initial purchase, we love that this pump comes with the guarantee of a number of years of perfect operation.
This makes it a better bargain in terms of long-run utility and maintenance costs.
Well, we certainly hope that this article helps clear up a few matters in terms of quiet pool pumps.
Be sure to have the four factors in mind while looking for a pump to buy. Be sure to check out our top 5 picks for the best quiet pool pumps available.